Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Gérard emerges out of the shadow of Fragonard
13 January 2020Only recently has the name Marguerite Gérard (1761-1837) re-emerged from the long shadow cast by her brother-in-law and tutor, Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806).
Medieval drinking vessel takes £4400 at Mitchells
13 January 2020Originally medieval drinking vessels, wassail bowls became highly decorative status symbols by the 19th century as this large silver-mounted walnut example shows.
The tale of the Warwick vase told in many sizes
13 January 2020Although turned down at the time by the British Museum, a 2nd century vase with Bacchic ornament found by Gavin Hamilton near Hadrian’s villa in Tivoli c.1771 proved a sensation with 18th century connoisseurs.
Electroplated cups marked for Evan Jones of Sydney turn up in Hampshire
13 January 2020This pair of 19th century electroplated cups, offered by Andrew Smith & Son (21% buyer’s premium) in Alresford on December 11, is stamped for the noted Sydney silversmith Evan Jones (1846-1917).
Dresser’s genius brings happy returns
13 January 2020The Design sale at Christie’s New York (25/20% buyer’s premium) on December 13 included the return to the auction room of one of the famous series of electroplated teapots made by James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, c.1879, to designs by Christopher Dresser.
Remarkable mustard pots from Shennan collection turn heads at Evesham sale
13 January 2020The sale at Kingham & Orme (20% buyer’s premium) in Evesham on December 6-7 included the second instalment of the remarkable Shennan collection of silver mustard pots, this time featuring examples made in the reigns of George IV to Victoria (1821-1901).
Cups from the Spetchley Park kunstkammer
13 January 2020Sotheby’s (25% buyer’s premium) sale of art and antiques from the Regency manor house Spetchley Park in Wychavon, Worcestershire, held in London on December 11, included a range of ‘kunstkammer’ objects amassed by the Berkeley family in the 19th century.
Norwegian silver brudekrone pays a visit to Canterbury
13 January 2020An atypical visitor to a recent sale at Canterbury Auction Galleries (24% buyer’s premium) was a Norwegian silver gilt brudekrone dating from the late 18th or early 19th century.
Poole Pottery vase, Omega Seamaster watch and James McCabe carriage clock – five auction highlights that caught bidders’ eyes in the last week
10 January 2020ATG’s selection of hammer highlights this week includes a Poole pottery vase that made 17-times estimate and a Victorian carriage clock by James McCabe that sold above predictions.
Fleamarket find joins the national ceramics collection
06 January 2020A white porcelain sculpture made in the experimental years of the Chelsea factory has been acquired for the national ceramics collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Pick of the week: Embroidery panels point to six figures
06 January 2020A sale of art and antiques from a Worcestershire manor house included the rare appearance at auction of two examples of Opus Anglicanum.
Rusting BP enamel sign is The Winner in Welsh sale
06 January 2020Rescued from a skip, a rusting British enamel advertising sign sold for £10,400 (plus 24% buyer’s premium) at auction in Carmarthen.
Falangcai enamel bowl heads Paris Asian series at €3.25m
06 January 2020A Yongzheng (1723-35) mark and period falangcai enamel bowl sold for €3.25m (£2.8m) to lead the recent round of Asian art sales in Paris.
Wedgwood vase, Minton tile and Victorian carriage clock – six lots to watch at auction this week
06 January 2020With estimates from £40-12,000 here are six previews of upcoming items this week.
Asian art in Los Angeles: late Qing vase draws bids at Bonhams
06 January 2020This 12in (30cm) cong form vase with elephant-head handles is decorated in qianjiangcai enamels by Cheng Men (1833-1908) – one of the best known of the late Qing period porcelain painters.